CVE-2024-44196 is a permissions vulnerability in Apple macOS that allows an application to modify protected parts of the file system without requiring any privileges or user interaction. The vulnerability arises due to insufficient enforcement of file system access restrictions, classified under CWE-863 (Incorrect Authorization). This flaw enables an attacker to alter critical system files or directories that should normally be protected, potentially leading to system instability, bypass of security controls, or persistence mechanisms for malware. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions of macOS prior to the patched releases macOS Ventura 13.7.1 and macOS Sonoma 14.7.1, where Apple implemented additional restrictions to prevent unauthorized file system modifications. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.5, reflecting a network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), high impact on confidentiality (C:H), but no impact on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). This suggests the primary risk is unauthorized disclosure or exposure of sensitive information through file system modifications rather than direct data corruption or denial of service. No known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, but the vulnerability's characteristics make it a significant threat if weaponized. The issue was reserved in August 2024 and published in late October 2024, indicating recent discovery and disclosure.

For European organizations, the ability of an unprivileged app to modify protected file system areas poses a serious security risk. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to implant persistent malware, exfiltrate sensitive data, or bypass security mechanisms that rely on file system integrity. This could lead to data breaches, intellectual property theft, or disruption of critical services. Organizations in sectors such as finance, government, technology, and critical infrastructure that rely on macOS devices for sensitive operations are particularly vulnerable. The confidentiality impact is high, as attackers may access or expose protected information. Although integrity and availability impacts are not directly indicated, indirect consequences such as system instability or further exploitation chains are possible. The lack of required privileges and user interaction lowers the barrier for exploitation, increasing the threat level. Failure to patch promptly could result in targeted attacks or supply chain compromises affecting European entities.

European organizations should immediately verify the macOS versions deployed across their environments and prioritize upgrading to macOS Ventura 13.7.1, macOS Sonoma 14.7.1, or later versions where the vulnerability is fixed. Implement strict application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions to detect and block unauthorized attempts to modify protected file system areas. Employ monitoring tools that can alert on anomalous file system changes, especially in system directories. Restrict installation of untrusted or unsigned applications to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. Conduct regular audits of system integrity and file permissions to identify potential unauthorized modifications. Educate users about the risks of installing unverified software and enforce least privilege principles to minimize exposure. Additionally, maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential compromises.